River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-06-23


village of Echo we saw the Devils Gate
where the Weber River (the stream that
passes through both Echo and Weber
canons) passes through narrow archway
Of rock, coming out on the other side of
the mountain, which was a grand sight.
The river runs down the canons, there
being barely room enough for it and the
rail road, and as it winds its way down
the narrow passage way the railroad
crosses and recr0sses it a great many
times, and most of the time the engineer
could not see the rear coach, the road be-
ing So crooked. Soon after emerging from
Weber Canon we came into the valley in
which the pretty city of Ogden is situated.
They claim 5000 population but ] think
they claim too much, although had not
time TO quarrel with Mormons.
June 5.-After leaving Ogden the train
once more commenced to climb the
mountains, so when we arose this morn
ing we had reached an altitude of 5000
feet, having only made 2l9 miles during
the night. All along the railroad at
short intervals we came to small stations
or ranches.
The railroad seems to seek for a
stream to follow, and along the stream
vegetation grows abundantly, and there
is where the large ranches are. Outside
of the narrow valleys the mountains and
plains are covered with nothing but sage
brush, which is not very inviting for one
who has always been used to seeing tim
Der, but the grandeur of the immense
canons and high mountains makes one
forget the soil and verdure, looking for
scenery of which there is no lack. We
followed down the Humboldt River all the
forenoon. in fact nearly all day. 1t
flows through many deep canons, one
called Moline, where one had TO look
twice to see the top of the precipices.
Humbolt is a very swift running river
and in many places the mountains seem
to separate TO let it pass through, as it
rushes along like torrent. Ats p. NJ we
came to the noted Humboldt sink, where
the river we have followed since this
morning sinks into the ground. 1t looks
at distance like sea fsalt.
After passing the Humbolt sink we
once more commenced TO ascend the
mountains, this time the Sierra Nevadas,
until we attained the height of 1907 feet.
Most of the way we assembled the val
ley ofthe Truckee River, and like all these
mountain streams it is very rapid. On
the summit of the Sierras we passed
through over 40 miles of snow-sheds.
June Gate o'clock in the morning
the brakeman awoke us according to
agreement TO let us know that we were
approaching Cape Horn, place where
the train passes around q sharp curve on
the side of the mountain overlooking the
American River $4,000 feet below. The
moon shone almost as bright as day, and
it was one grand panoramic view from
the summit to Sacramento, where we
arrived at 1880 A. NJ. As our train did not
leave for San Jose until 11:30 we placed
ourselves in the hands of hackman,
visited the capital building, which is
grand structure costing 100000, went
up in the dome, where we could overlook
the country for hundreds of miles. Drove
to the Fair Grounds where We noticed |
some very fine horses. We finished the
city by passing a very pleasant hour in
the Crocker Art Gallery, donated TO
the city by Mrs. Croker, where pic |
lures of all ages and sizes are on exhi- |
bition. At 1l:30 we boarded the train |
for the remainder of the trip, arriv-
ing at San Jose at z. NJ. where we
found Mr.. and Mrs. McGregor and Mr.. |
Frank Ensign awaiting us.
will close by saying that if any of
our River Falls people think of COM
ing this way to be sure and take the
Omaha road to Council Bluffs and the
Union & Central Pacific the balance of
the way. Your agent, Mr.. COlgrove,
gave us letter to the different roads,
and Mr.. f. l.. Lynde, Travelling Agt.
of the Union Pacific Railway, came
as far as Omaha with us, and to both
of these gentlemen we owe a great
many thanks for the courtesies that
were shown US by the different rail
road employees, for it seems as
though they could not do enough for
us. Possibly you may hear from US
later on as we look the city over.
With kind regards to all, am,
HERSEY f. LORD.